Colonial defense shuts down rival William Paterson

The Western Connecticut State football team went to work on William Paterson, defeating the Pioneers 35-0 Saturday afternoon. The shutout is a credit to a defensive unit that allowed William Paterson only 97 yards of total offense.
"It's a 3-3 defense that's new to us," WestConn head coach

John Burrell
said. "We had a horrible year on defense last year, which is very uncommon for (WestConn)."
Burrell and his defensive coordinator,
Rockwell Kelsey
, have retooled a unit that aims to be more aggressive and utilizes quicker athletes.
The Colonials' offense was effective all day thanks to the combination of running backs Jason Adamson, a senior, and Rick Jackson, a sophomore. Adamson is the declared starter, but Jackson was the leading rusher Saturday.
The pair combined for 146 yards on the ground and both scored touchdowns.
"The linemen were doing their job and I wouldn't be running if it wasn't for them," Jackson said.
Burrell said that both players were vying for the job in camp and neither stood above the other.
"We don't have a 1 option and a 2," he said. "Right now we've got a 1 and a 1-A."
Adamson enjoys working with the 19-year-old Jackson.
"We work well together," Adamson said. "Rick is more of a straight runner, while I'm more of a make-a-move runner."
The WestConn defense, meanwhile, held William Paterson in check all day.
William Paterson's first-year head coach

Mike Miello
admitted WestConn's defensive looks were a bit of a surprise.
"They weren't exactly what we thought they would be," Miello said.
Former

Bethel High School
quarterback
Joe DiMeglio
had a solid performance with 194 yards on 15-for-31 passing and no interceptions. His first touchdown pass was to a familiar face - his brother
Mike DiMeglio
, a sophomore tight end who scored at the 1:15 mark of the first quarter.
Former Immaculate star
James Jordan
made just one catch, but it brought in six points.
Jordan's
touchdown catch was a backbreaker for William Paterson, putting WestConn up 21-0 with 1:13 to go in the first half.
William Paterson has not beaten WestConn since 1993. The win also ended a four-game home losing streak for the Colonials dating back to last season.